Jenks has signed for Birmingham City on loan this season despite being heavily linked with a permanent move away from Arsenal.

Speaking after the switch was completed, the 25-year-old admitted that last season it was tough not playing, especially considering he was fit.

“It was frustrating come the end of the window that things didn’t work out how I’d wanted them to and then obviously I spent the back end of last season where I didn’t play,” he said, reports the Birmingham Mail.

“That was my first experience when I’ve been fit for a very long time where I’ve not played. But that’s what it is and it’s a part of my career, as frustrating as it was.

“Everyone just agreed that I needed to play this year. I was told that I’d be able to go out on loan or whatever and I pushed for that as well because you don’t want to be somewhere where you’re not going to be playing.”

Jenks made just five appearances for Arsenal’s first team last season after returning from a long-term knee injury he suffered with on loan at West Ham.